memories

So I've been thinking about memories lately, not that memories don't just pop up on a regular basis when something reminds me of them, but I've been thinking about memories associated with smell, sight, and particularly sound. One of my favorite songs these days is "Springsteen" by Eric Church. Best line?

 "Funny how a melody sounds like a memory, like the soundtrack to a July Saturday night" 

Isn't it funny how the smallest things can bring back memories from long ago? Lately I've been surprised how much a song takes me back to somewhere else. And can I just throw in a word for the Fray? I just can't get enough of them lately. What would I do without my ipod?

Whenever I hear "Need You Now" by my favs, Lady Antebellum, I am laying in the ISU Dental Hygiene Clinic getting my teeth worked on by a fellow classmate. 

When it's "On My Mind" by Kalai, I am driving to California with Kirsten, Brady, Jeff, and Emily and we are having a deep chat that I STILL remember details of. 

Or "Brand New Day" by Joshua Radin takes me back to a run at Edson Fichter 3 years ago when I felt like my life was actually going to go on after a rough break up. (Aren't girls funny? So dramatic)

Maroon 5 "Never Gonna Leave This Bed" reminds me of driving back to Virginia Beach after we visited Washington DC and just crankin the tunes whilst enjoying the ocean view. 

Dave Barnes' "Until You" just screams Caraline, Sammie, Rainy, Juline, Gen, and I having random dance parties in Madison 10, Lib Square.

Any ABBA song reminds me of every family vacation we ever went on, because you KNOW we were jammin to Abba. Who doesn't jam to ABBA? So great. Or the Beatles. Let's not leave them out.

And "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler reminds me mainly of Juliene Anderson ROCKING it in the piano bar on the cruise to Mexico, but also of every high school assembly and karaoke night at Applebees.

And then there are the songs that overwhelm me with memories of my mother. They are a number of them because my mom's style of music is entirely her own. Jan might be the only one who can recognize this tune. Remember driving to Julie Taylor's for piano lessons every Monday with this blaring?
"Crying apples, and peaches, and cherries.... we gotta lotta! Apples and peaches and cherries" 
Hahaha, I just love it.

I'm grateful for memories, good and bad. I'm grateful for my awesome family and friends. I have a good life. I was reminded of that today when my mom and I went shopping at Ridley's. The poor people who shop at Ridleys... most of them look like they've had a rough life. I can't leave there not feeling like I've got things pretty good.